Sheriff’s office warns of vehicle scam targeting local sellers
Scam artists use fake engine issues to drive down prices
– The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an auto scam that has occurred several times over the past couple of months. A group of Romanian nationals has been targeting sellers throughout California, with recent incidents reported in San Luis Obispo County.
According to the sheriff’s office, the scam typically begins when a scammer contacts a seller through online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. The scammer arranges to inspect and test drive the vehicle, often accompanied by two or three others posing as friends or mechanics.
During the meeting, one person distracts the seller while another secretly pours oil on the engine. When the test drive begins, the engine starts to smoke, creating the appearance of a serious mechanical issue. The scammer then offers a significantly lower price, hoping the seller will accept the reduced offer out of concern for expensive repairs.
On Jan. 18, a seller in Atascadero became a victim of this scam and sold their vehicle for a price far below the asking amount. The suspects attempted the same scheme in Los Osos and Nipomo that day.
Another seller in Los Osos was targeted on March 10 and accepted a lowball offer under similar circumstances. The next day, the suspects made another unsuccessful attempt in Atascadero.
The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to this scam to contact the Sheriff’s Detective Division at (805) 781-4500.
Officials provided several tips to avoid becoming a victim of this type of scam:
- Meet potential buyers in a public location, such as a grocery store parking lot.
- Bring a friend or family member with you.
- Do not leave the potential buyer alone with your vehicle, including during the test drive.
If a mechanical issue is suspected, have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic before agreeing to a lower price.
Be cautious of extremely low offers that seem unreasonable.
